Separable fastener.



G. SUNDBACK.

SEPARABLE FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. I912- RENEWE-D APR. 5, I917. 1,236,784. Patented Au 14, 1917.

5 Wvewm 1 151 1%?) @Himmu o I} I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GIDEON SUNDBACK, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN MENTS, T0 HOOKLESS FASTENER COMPANY, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SEPARABLE FASTENER.

Application filed October 22, 1912, Serial No. 727,207.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Gmnox SUNnBAcK, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Meadville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separable Fasteners, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to improvements in separable fasteners'of the type wherein two body members or stringers are locked and unlocked by a sliding cam device mounted on both members, the locking being effected by movement in one direction and unlocking by an opposite movement.

According to the present invention, one body member or stringer is constructed in the form of a jaw which is momentarily distorted and opened by a sliding operating device to release or insert the other member, which latter is guided by the sliding operating device into the jaw member by one movement and out of the jaw member by the other movement, thereby fastening and unfastening the two members. A characteristic feature of the sliding operating device, as distinguished from prior devices, resides in the construction whereby the two body members are guided to cross each other in intersecting paths, thereby permitting the second member to be inserted in, and withdrawn from the aw member or stringer. A further feature of this invention and important practically resides in the elimination of metal parts entirely from one member, and almost completely from the other member, with increase in flexibility, and decrease in thickness and weight of the assembled fastener.

The invention with respect to a preferred form thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure l is a perspective View of a fastener embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, somewhat enlarged, showing the fastener engaged;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slider, or operating device;

Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3 seen from the left;

Fig. 5 is a similar view seen from the right;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14;, 1917.

Renewed April 5, 1917. Serial No. 159.994.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a preferred form of closure spring for the jaw member; and

Figs. 8, 9, l0 and 11 are views showing a slightly modified construction of slider.

1 represents a body member or stringer composed of doubled strips of cloth 2, 2 having therein cords or tapes 3, 3, forming beaded holding edges 4-, 4c, the pieces of cloth being secured together by stitching or other suitable means. Where the jaws meet, a double thickness is provided. Contained within the body member 1 are springs 6, which are generally U-shaped, as shown, and comprise prongs 7 and inwardly curved shoulders 8. The springs 6 are secured to the cords 3 by means of the prongs 7, which are driven through the inner tape and then bent inwardly around the cord so as to clamp the cord firmly against the lugs 8, see Fig. 2, and are also completely covered by fabric. 10 represents a second body member consisting of a tape similar to 1, having a beaded or corded edge 11, composed of a cord on each side of the tape, and also, if desired, a guiding head 12. The parts are fastened by passing the member 10 into the space behind the shoulders 8, which, being resilient, normally tend to spring together and thereby engage and hold the beaded edges 11 of the second body member or stringer 10.

In order to operate the fastener, means. is provided for simultaneously opening the jaws 6 on the stringer 1 and guiding the beaded edge 11 of the stringer 10 in a di-- rection transversely of the lugs 8, so that when the sliding device is moved in one direction it will open the jaws and simultaneousl I allow the beaded edge 11 to pass out, ant when moved in the other direction it will open the jaws (3 by spreading the lugs 8 and allow the beaded edge 11 to pass in. The uncoupling is accomplished by simply pulling the ends of the stringers 1 and 10 apart, which causes the sliding device to automatically travel down on the stringers and separate them as it travels,

this, a slider 13 is provided, see Figs. 3, t and 5, which consists of a double ended wedge-shaped separator 1 1 for spreading the lugs 8, guiding surfaces 15, 15 for re ceiving the beaded edges 1. at, and an intersecting guide hole 16 for the beaded edge 11 of the second body member or stringer 10. To receive the stringer 10 a slot 17 is provided in the lower end of the slider, this slot extending also into the lower end of the wedge-shaped separator 14, as shown in Fig. #1. 18, 18 represent exterior guides or feet which slide on the outside of the memberl at the top of the slider and 19 represents similar guides which embrace the jaw member or stringer 1 below the slider, thereby insuring that the body member is bent at the proper curve to permit the slider 13 to move most readily. In this connection it will also be observed that the interior channel 16 for the beaded edge 11 is not exactly straight but is slightly curved so that greater ease of operation can be secured. The slider 13 in Figs. 8, 4 and 5 18 shown made of two sheet metal halves which are secured together by rivets 20, 21 being a ring or loop for operating the slider.

In Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, the slider s slightly modified in construction but not 1n principle, the guide feet 18 and l verhanging the jaw stringer 1 being eliminated and instead is provided an extended lug 22 which slides in the space between the beaded edge 11 and the interior bead 12 of the member 52. In Fig. 1 it will be seen that the extension which carries the guide 19 performs a similar function and is numbered 22 to correspond. Fig. 9 shows one of the sheet metal halves of the slider, and in order to provide a stid and rigid construction it is strengthened by the block 24 having a projection 25 which fits in the slot 26 of the body 13, 2'? being a Ushaped reinforcement provided with a slot 28 to permit it to partly overlie the body portion of the slider immediately above the interior channel 16, and 29 being a slot through which the shank 25 of the block 2 1 projects. The reinforcement 27 is secured to the body portion of 13 by rivets passing through holes 30, and the block 2 is secured to the reinforcement 27 by a rivet passing through the holes 31, being a pin carried by the reinforcement 27 to which is attached a pulling ring 33 similar to 21.

' The edge 34- of the block will be beveled to a V-shape as shown, while each of the edges 35 of the pieces 13 will also be beveled, to reduce the friction and enable the guide surfaces 15 to enter easily between the beaded edges 4:, at.

The foregoing description and operation will be readily understood, it being assmued that the lower ends of the stringers may be fastened permanently together in. case the device is to be used for a placket or similar opening, or separably in case it is to be used for a waist where a complete separation of the two parts is desired. lVhen the fastener is completely open, the slider will be at one end and by pulling on the slider while holding the ends of the stringers an automatic closure will be progressively efi'ected as the slider travels away from the end, while an opening can be automatically effected by moving the slider in a reverse direction, as.

by pulling the ends of the stringers apart. By the foregoing construction, it will be observed that no metal at all is employed for one stringer and the amount of metal required for the other stringer is limited to the small amount required for the springs. In order to permit flexibility when the jaw carrying member is bent through the slider, it will be observed that the ends of the springs 6 are narrowed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 so that they do not interfere with each other but remain in practically the same plane, while the use of continuous beaded tapes permits a large degree of lateral flexibility without interference from the spaced jaw spring 6. To furnish a firm support for the springs, so as to prevent them from becoming displaced during operation, the outside tapes or strips are sewed together close to the rear edges of the springs.

The fastener is thus rendered especially suitable for closures for clothing by reason of this high degree of flexibility combined with lightness and the small amount of metal employed. Moreover, the fastener is advantageous by reason of its thinness and absence of exposed metal, it being observed that everything except the slider is covered by the fabr c, which latter can, of course, be made in various colors and materials suitable for the intended use. It will be observed that the fastener can be operated without the slider by sliding the second member lengthwise into and out of the jaw member, but the use of the slider is prefer able. Various modifications and changes in the specific form and construction of the various parts can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A. fastener comprising a flexible hollow body member having parallel, separable holding edges, a second body member having a continuous enlarged edge adapted to be inclosed by said first member, a series of' flat U-shaped springs for closing the edges of said first member, and means sliding on both of said members for engaging and disengaging said members. 7

2. A fastener comprising a flexible hollow body member having parallel, separable holding edges, a second body member having a continuous enlarged edge adapted to be inclosed by said first member, a series of fiat tapering U-shaped springs for closing the edges of said first member, and means sliding on both of said members for engaging and disengaging said members.

3. In a separable, flexible fastener of the type herein set forth, a flat U-shaped spring jaw member having attaching prongs at the ends for penetrating fabric body members,

and an interiorly projecting guide member for engaging a second body member when within said jaw member.

4. In a separable, flexible fastener of the type herein set forth, a fiat U-shaped spring jaw member having attaching prongs at the ends for penetrating fabric body members, and an interiorly projecting guide member for engaging a second body member when within said aw member, said jaw members being narrowed at the bent portion to permit binding of the body member Without causing said jaw members to bind.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

GIDEON SUNDBACK.

Witnesses:

K. G. LE ARD, IVAN KONIGSBERG. 

